South Bend Board of School Trustees

November 04, 2006

No election decision has a greater impact on families and communities than the vote cast for school board member. This year, three of seven seats on the South Bend Community School Corp. Board of Trustees are on the Nov. 7 ballot. In District 1, incumbent Sheila Bergeron is facing challenger Ralph Komasinski, a former teacher, principal, negotiator and acting superintendent. Komasinski advocates the development of a trustee leadership program that would help the board work together more effectively. He also believes that the board must move beyond discussing operational issues and focus on developing a vision for the future. Bergeron, who was elected in 1998 after founding the "Save our Schools" citizen group, would like to see more partnerships between the business community and the schools. Bergeron believes the arrival of Superintendent Robert Zimmerman offers an opportunity for a new beginning. We believe that Bergeron has been an intelligent and committed school board member who hasn't been afraid to ask the tough questions. We endorse Sheila Bergeron. In District 2, incumbent Ralph Pieniazkiewicz is seeking his third term. He is running against former Navarre Intermediate Center principal Anthony Byrd. Before his election to the board, Pieniazkiewicz spent 35 years in the classroom, 33 of those years at Riley High School. He believes that much progress has been made during his tenure, including the adoption of Plan Z, unified curriculum and magnet schools. He says that the corporation is headed in the right direction and must build upon progress made. Byrd has 34 years of experience in public education as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal and principal. He would like to work towards creating a more welcoming environment to encourage more parental involvement. He sees great potential in a partnership between the corporation and Ivy Tech Community College. We believe that Byrd has the background and commitment to meet the challenges of the next four years and would work well with other board members. We endorse Anthony Byrd. In District 5, three-term incumbent Marcia Hummel faces former Clay High School Principal Joann "Jody" Ollman. Hummel says that her 12 years of experience on the board is a major asset. She believes that a firm foundation has been laid during the past several years and that now is the time to build on that foundation. Ollman, who has 26 years of experience in the South Bend Community School Corp., wants to build on individual successes in the schools to impact the entire corporation. She wants to promote collaboration between schools, parents and the community. We believe that Ollman's energy and understanding of the issues facing the schools would be an asset on the board. We endorse Joann "Jody" Ollman.